Member postings for Karl Challis

Hi Hollowpoint,

There are a couple of factors that can have an effect on surface finish which are directly related to the chucks performance, like you mention there is the headstock bearings, In my experience when the bearings start to wear you can usually get a better feel by putting the chuck under a load using your tailstock and then manually rotating and feeling / listening for issues.

If your hard jaws dont centre very well then it seems the scroll thread inside the chuck is worn matched with worn out jaw threads can create a lot of play and this can also cause temperamental finishes.

I don't mean to insult your knowledge on the subject but it seems worth mentioning, is your crossslide is tight, the slide screws are tightenened appropriately to remove play from the slides, tool fastened securely and on center height with a sharp cutting edge?

Hope some of this may be of use.

Karl

Hi,

I'm needing a 33t and 34t change gear to allow for metric screw cutting.

The 33t seems readily available at a bargain £10 however the 34T I Can't seem to find anywhere.

If anyone has maybe purchased one before or may know of a link it would be appreciated.

TIA

I'm currently in the plastic moulding industry myself at the moment, having come from a background in aerospace and pharmaceutical.

I just truly dont see the challenge / fun in having software simply generate a program for you. It really seems like automation is the way to go, which is a shame.

Again thanks for the welcome guys.

Thanks for the positive words Ian.

And the advice is appreciated. We have always been advised to pick a market/industry and excell in one rather than provide an okay service in multiple industries. I must admit the unpredictability of a general machine shop keeps the work more exciting.

Do you still machine?

Karl

Thanks David, not quite filing to tight tolerances however i have had experience grinding tool steel and using a shadowgraph as measurement, haven't seen one since my early apprenticeship. Glad to still have access to the likes of radial arms as they also seem to be disappearing. I was so lucky to make my start using dial machining and no readout, no 3d clocks, simple edge finders and well placed rolling papers for 10micron shim. It certainly put me in a great position to learn the newer techniques. I can only imagine some of the projects you have taken on in the past. Thanks for the welcome. Karl

Hi All.

My name is Karl, I'm 26 from Merseyside.

Myself and my younger Brother 20 are apprentice trained toolmaker and CNC Programmers. We have a passion for old school machinery and techniques, and would love our own company at some point.

We have just purchased, cleaned and restored a Marlow Model 5a Milling machine and Myford Super 7 lathe. I must say were very impressed with the capabilities of both machines especially considering they're age. I basically spend all day every day machining and I love it.

I'm sure it will be nice to chat to some of you and of course soak up some of the wealth of knowledge floating around.

Karl

Finding information online about Marlow milling machines as you may already know is no easy task.

Me and my brother have recently purchased , cleaned up and serviced a Marlow Model 5a Milling machine and a myford super 7 lathe. We are truly fascinated by the Marlow, it's simplicity yet rigidity and relative accuracy for a machine of its age is very impressive.

We have a reasonable understanding of the machine yet we have a few unanswered questions,

Were unsure of the 6 speed settings, however we are aware the range is 80 to 1450 I believe.

Also we don't seem to be able to get the feed (motor) to reverse direction.

The motor is connected to a small what looks like gearbox with 3 speed settings operatable via a lever on the gearbox however nothing to change direction.

Finally (for now) is the spindle direction revers

Any information would be extremely helpful guys.

Karl c